Meet 2 of the 1 million independent Pa. voters shut out of this month’s primary
Pennsylvania's closed primary system disenfranchises over 1 million independent voters, including Bruce Parker, who can't vote in the May primary to replace his retiring state representative. The system requires voters to be registered as Democrats or Republicans to participate in their respective parties' elections.
Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, limiting voting to registered Democrats and Republicans. Over 1 million independent voters, including Bruce Parker, are excluded. Parker's state representative, Mary Jo Daley, is retiring, and the primary to replace her is crowded with four Democratic candidates. Parker must register as a Democrat to vote, which he is reluctant to do, having changed his registration multiple times to reflect his independent views. Research suggests that closed primaries limit the kinds of people who participate in these elections. Independents tend to be younger and are more prevalent in areas with population growth.
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